Now, I know that that is kind of my thing...I mean: I blog about it right?? Easy for me to say: You have a job, kids, a life ....how will you find the time to DIY and improve your home??

Well, that's what I used to think.

...until I started actually just doing it!!

So today I want to share with you all my top tips to get into DIY-ing this year!

The main thing is to get motivated, get planning and get started!!

MOTIVATION

Beautifying your surroundings and your home in particular is an investment into your personal well being!! Making your home a sanctuary where you truly feel happy, both visually and functionally is what interior design is all about....and you can achieve this all by yourself!

INSPIRATION

If you have yet to find YOUR style....the look that works for YOU, I suggest that you start by buying a few interior design magazines...Spend a Sunday Afternoon , with a cup of tea in hand....maybe even listen to some music....relax and enjoy :looking through them, ripping or cutting out images that appeal to you! It can be colours, shapes, furniture or artwork....whatever catches your eye! Don't worry about reading the articles (unless you want to:)) but just skim through and compile visual images that you like...

Spread them all over the floor, and take note of what colours and styles are repeating....Maybe you're into opulence and dark jewel colours...or maybe you like bright and airy images with minimalistic decor?

The style that appeals to you should become more apparent when you look at all your clippings!

Its a great place to find inspiration for all your interior projects, big or small!

You can create moodboards of images you like for every room in your house:

Just search for the styles you like using key words, say white walls, wooden floor, mid century modern furniture...etc...

This should make you hone your tastes down and give you a more solid picture of what you'd like your home to look like!

Just don't get too caught up with details: Yes, your home may not have big windows letting lots of light in, but stear clear of pinterest envy: you can still take inspiration from the interior design elements of that space! This article from Apartment therapy may help should the green eyed monster rear its head!!

If you already know you're style, and are quite confident in what you'd like your home to look like, get more specific in your pinterest search:

Searching the site using key words like DIY or tutorials on just about anything should give you results. Want to put up wall paper in your living room? Or maybe you've seen a knitted blanket you thought you could DIY?

Set up a board with projects you'd like to do for your home: Big or Small!!

Get started by visiting my pinterest board Projects or just follow me to see what I'm pinning!!

Now you may already have thought about what you'd like to get done in your home already at this point....But putting it all down on paper should motivate you to start putting the plans into action!

Grab a notebook and a pen and do a walk through of your home and take notes of all the home improvements you would ideally like to get done this year! From completely redecorating a room, painting a wall to adding some art or maybe something more practical, like coming up with a new storage solution for the hallway? Write it all down as a list!

Weather you are following an online tutorial, or instructions on a tin, make sure you familiarize yourself with the entire process so you know what to expect and can plan how long each project will take!

Be prepared to encounter "spin off" projects!

ie: You've painted the walls, but now the woodwork/ceiling or floor looks tatty = NEW PROJECT!

Try to pre-empt if this could happen in the planning and preparing phase, and break down these projects into steps as well

Make a road map in your head of the processes and steps of your project!

Make a list of what tools and materials you'll need and set off time to purchase them.

Make a plan to work organized and always prioritize health and safety!

Invest in safety glasses ,dust masks and rubber gloves, as well as dust sheets and masking tape for those BIG jobs!!

Then work out an estimation of the time you think the project will take you, taking into account things like moving furniture out of the way or drying time for paints etc.....especially if it's a big one , like redecorating a room, and schedule it in your diary at a convenient time!

"Things don't have to be perfect to be beautiful. If you go into a room and it's all perfect, you don't feel comfortable. A home interior is not an abstract thing, it is about people, it's about the way you feel, the way you interact. It's about family and friends, it's the backdrop to your life."